After two and a half years at Scout (formerly Hunter's Run), Amanda and I are moving! The main reason for the move is the massive renovations the complex is undergoing. They rebranded (from Hunter's Run to Scout) and they've already replaced the roofs and windows of apartments. Our lease we signed late last summer only went until the beginning of April, because Scout has to have construction guys remodel the inside of our apartment. I've seen what they've done to other apartments; they completely gut them and replace everything. It would not be possible to stay in the apartment during that.
They have not reached out to us yet (but I expect they will soon), but Scout will probably offer us a comparable apartment that's already been renovated. Unfortunately with the remodel, they are raising rent in the remodeled units, a rent we cannot afford. We've checked online and while the apartments are nice, we just can't afford it.
So we began our apartment search. We found a place in Bothell called "Griffis North Creek" just off the Bothell-Everett Highway. It's got the nicest amenities I have ever seen in an apartment complex. To start, it's got:
- A pool table
- Swimming pool, large enough to do laps in
- Jacuzzi
- Full size gym
- Yoga studio (with hot yoga capabilities)
- Shuffleboard
- Full-size coffee and tea bar
- Brand new Apple computers for use
- Two gas grills anyone can use
And more.
But our apartment, where we'll be spending most of our time, is very nice as well. It's got a kitchen with all new stainless steel appliances, a small pantry, a coat closet, walk-in closet, washer/dryer, and my favorite part: Garbage valet service. Because it's such a huge complex, it's quite a walk to the nearest garbage dumpster, so they offer a garbage valet service. Five nights a week, a trash person collects garbage people leave out in front of their door. It's awesome. Oh, also each apartment is fitted with sprinklers, so in case of a massive fire, our belongings will not get burnt and lost forever.
But for the first time, I will not call Kirkland home. I have lived in Kirkland my entire life, but unfortunately it's just become too expensive to live in. My sister moved out of Kirkland a few years ago. My parents moved out just last year. Now in just a few weeks, I will move out of Kirkland myself. I love the city, and it will always have a special place in my heart, but it was time to move on and move out. At least I will stay on the east side and within driving distance.
Our apartment is on the small-ish size at 659 square feet, but that's okay to me. It will encourage Amanda and I to get rid of stuff we no longer need. My plan in these next few weeks is to put all-non essentials in our storage unit we rent, and then as time goes on, make trips to the storage unit and decide whether to keep things and put them in our new apartment, or get rid of them.
My least favorite part will be our commute. I did some research and when traffic is bad, it could take an hour to get to work, which I am not looking forward to. Depending on how it goes (or if I can find an alternative route to 405), I might get a Good-To-Go pass so I can drive in the toll lanes. We also might carpool on occasion, even though we work an hour apart (she starts and gets off an hour after me). Unfortunately, the carpool requirements during peak hours is 3 occupants, so we wouldn't be able to use the toll lanes as an HOV lane for free.
I'm excited for this move. We're going to get our keys and set up everything Saturday the 28th, and move our furniture the following day. We then will use the following week up until our lease expires to move the remaining things and clean the old apartment. I'm hoping that our current residence does not make us deep clean all the appliances and counters they're just going to replace anyway.
I will probably post an update after move, sometime in April, about how the transition to Griffis North Creek has gone. I am looking forward to taking advantage of the amenities when possible. Wish me luck with the move, it's definitely a change for me!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Thursday, March 5, 2020
COVID-19 AKA The Coronavirus
There is a disease going around that is bordering on being a pandemic. Ok, it is a pandemic. The Coronavirus is prevalant news around the globe, and it's disrupting everyday life everywhere. Businesses are getting people to work from home, if possible. Events are being cancelled or postponed. Some businesses that rely on regular customers are hurting because those customers are staying home.
I'm not scared. The symptoms are something we've all dealt with in life: coughing, a fever, and most of us have experienced a shortness in breath. But what makes myself feel safe is that the only people to have lost their lives after contracting COVID-19 are people middle-aged or older. People my age have gotten it, but they're making it through. Instead, I worry about my loved ones that are more susceptible to the disease, such as my grandparents, my parents, my aunts and uncles.
The crazy thing about this is that what it being deemed the "epicenter" of the virus is about a mile from where I live. The Life Care Center in Kirkland is basically in the same neighborhood as my home. It's not where the virus originated, but it's where it's caused the most damage and where most of the people who have lost their lives got it. Crazy, out of all the places in the world, it's a place a mile away from me.
I am doing all the precautionary measures: washing my hands often, using hand sanitizer gel and wipes, and wiping down commonly touched surfaces. We're being sent home to work from home later today and for all day tomorrow. The main reason for that is probably because one of my coworkers was recently in close proximity to someone that potentially had the virus. Fortunately, she has not displayed any symptoms as of yet, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Everyone, especially the elderly, should be taking every precaution they can. It's not like we should all try and find a doomsday bunker or completely seclude ourselves from the world, but we should be extra careful at this time. If you touch something commonly touched by others, do not touch anywhere on your face until you can wash/sanitize your hands. I am someone whose face itches constantly, whether it be my nose, eyes, or cheek. I am taking care of those itches by using my arm or by making sure my hands are absolutely clean first. Obviously, you aren't going to magically give yourself the virus, but you can contract it from others.
I hope this dies down soon so our lives can get back to normal. I hate having to worry about my family when they are the ones who are susceptible to the virus being fatal for them. The worst thing would be if everyone knew someone, friend or family, that got the virus, and worse, knowing someone who died from it. That would just be catastrophic. If the infected people are quarantined and stay away from others, we should be fine. This disease has not been proven fatal to people who are young and/or fit, and let's hope it stays that way.
I'm not scared. The symptoms are something we've all dealt with in life: coughing, a fever, and most of us have experienced a shortness in breath. But what makes myself feel safe is that the only people to have lost their lives after contracting COVID-19 are people middle-aged or older. People my age have gotten it, but they're making it through. Instead, I worry about my loved ones that are more susceptible to the disease, such as my grandparents, my parents, my aunts and uncles.
The crazy thing about this is that what it being deemed the "epicenter" of the virus is about a mile from where I live. The Life Care Center in Kirkland is basically in the same neighborhood as my home. It's not where the virus originated, but it's where it's caused the most damage and where most of the people who have lost their lives got it. Crazy, out of all the places in the world, it's a place a mile away from me.
I am doing all the precautionary measures: washing my hands often, using hand sanitizer gel and wipes, and wiping down commonly touched surfaces. We're being sent home to work from home later today and for all day tomorrow. The main reason for that is probably because one of my coworkers was recently in close proximity to someone that potentially had the virus. Fortunately, she has not displayed any symptoms as of yet, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Everyone, especially the elderly, should be taking every precaution they can. It's not like we should all try and find a doomsday bunker or completely seclude ourselves from the world, but we should be extra careful at this time. If you touch something commonly touched by others, do not touch anywhere on your face until you can wash/sanitize your hands. I am someone whose face itches constantly, whether it be my nose, eyes, or cheek. I am taking care of those itches by using my arm or by making sure my hands are absolutely clean first. Obviously, you aren't going to magically give yourself the virus, but you can contract it from others.
I hope this dies down soon so our lives can get back to normal. I hate having to worry about my family when they are the ones who are susceptible to the virus being fatal for them. The worst thing would be if everyone knew someone, friend or family, that got the virus, and worse, knowing someone who died from it. That would just be catastrophic. If the infected people are quarantined and stay away from others, we should be fine. This disease has not been proven fatal to people who are young and/or fit, and let's hope it stays that way.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Survivor Appreciation Post
Without a doubt, my favorite reality TV show of all time is Survivor. It's currently on it's 40th season right now, going 20 years strong. I have watched every single episode since season 2. I didn't watch the first season live, as I was a bit too young and I didn't know if it was going to be worth watching. I am currently in the middle of re-watching every season on Hulu. Thank God Hulu put all of the seasons on Survivor (up until season 34 or so). Oddly enough, in the earlier seasons, some of the episodes are not on Hulu, due to the contestants singing a song that is copyrighted or trademarked. Eventually, CBS learned not to show contestants singing those kinds of songs.
Survivor is not only my favorite reality TV show ever, it is one of my favorite TV shows ever, period. There is not one other show I've watched consistently for the past 20 years. It's been a part of my adolescent and now adult life. Every September and February, a new season has aired since 2000. I may not watch every episode live (due to conflicts with other shows, being busy with work or social plans, etc.), but I at least watch them eventually.
I think there are three reasons why Survivor has stood the test of time. One, it's always been about people and all the social games and politics. And those people have generally been interesting characters, ones we either grow attached to or despise. Two, it's not stayed the same game all the time, and has slowly evolved over the seasons to keep things interesting, new, and fresh. And three, the show's amazing host, Jeff Probst. Jeff's enthusiasm for the show and his ability to get the perfect responses out of people at Tribal Council make this show worth watching. If CBS had picked the wrong host way back in 2000, there's no way it would still be on.
The one problem Survivor is starting to face is making the show too confusing and complex. It's easy for the average person to keep track of Immunity Idols, but to ask the majority of people to keep track of other advantages (Steal a vote, block a vote, Idol nullifiers) as well is just asking too much. To top if off, they have introduced a currency of "Fire Tokens" in their 40th season. What they almost need is a segment where they show everyone's advantages and running fire tokens total. Thanks to a fan suggestion on Twitter, a few seasons ago they started putting what advantages each player has underneath their name. But that's only a modest amount of help.
I have thought about applying for Survivor, and technically I have. About a decade ago, Survivor allowed people to submit three minute videos of just themselves. That's all they had to do to apply. I made a video and submitted it, but never got a response. It's still on YouTube, and you can watch it here and cringe along with me. I think I'm better suited for the game now, having studied all the players and watching the show twice now. Once I get in better shape, I think I will seriously apply for the show and hope for the best.
So when will Survivor end? My guess is around the 50th season or so. If Probst decides to retire or stop doing the show, can Survivor even go on? I don't think I'd watch it with a new host. It certainly wouldn't be the same show without him. Let's hope Jeff continues to want to do the show until it can't go on anymore. But the one thing I'm afraid of is that the show becomes so convoluted with advantages and idols that it is no longer recognizable as the game it was twenty years ago. It's starting to get that way, but what the show needs to do is go back to its roots. Perhaps for one season they could do no advantages, except for perhaps one hidden immunity idol, and focus more on the survival aspect, just to see how well that season does with the fans. I bet it would be received even better.
Survivor is not only my favorite reality TV show ever, it is one of my favorite TV shows ever, period. There is not one other show I've watched consistently for the past 20 years. It's been a part of my adolescent and now adult life. Every September and February, a new season has aired since 2000. I may not watch every episode live (due to conflicts with other shows, being busy with work or social plans, etc.), but I at least watch them eventually.
I think there are three reasons why Survivor has stood the test of time. One, it's always been about people and all the social games and politics. And those people have generally been interesting characters, ones we either grow attached to or despise. Two, it's not stayed the same game all the time, and has slowly evolved over the seasons to keep things interesting, new, and fresh. And three, the show's amazing host, Jeff Probst. Jeff's enthusiasm for the show and his ability to get the perfect responses out of people at Tribal Council make this show worth watching. If CBS had picked the wrong host way back in 2000, there's no way it would still be on.
The one problem Survivor is starting to face is making the show too confusing and complex. It's easy for the average person to keep track of Immunity Idols, but to ask the majority of people to keep track of other advantages (Steal a vote, block a vote, Idol nullifiers) as well is just asking too much. To top if off, they have introduced a currency of "Fire Tokens" in their 40th season. What they almost need is a segment where they show everyone's advantages and running fire tokens total. Thanks to a fan suggestion on Twitter, a few seasons ago they started putting what advantages each player has underneath their name. But that's only a modest amount of help.
I have thought about applying for Survivor, and technically I have. About a decade ago, Survivor allowed people to submit three minute videos of just themselves. That's all they had to do to apply. I made a video and submitted it, but never got a response. It's still on YouTube, and you can watch it here and cringe along with me. I think I'm better suited for the game now, having studied all the players and watching the show twice now. Once I get in better shape, I think I will seriously apply for the show and hope for the best.
So when will Survivor end? My guess is around the 50th season or so. If Probst decides to retire or stop doing the show, can Survivor even go on? I don't think I'd watch it with a new host. It certainly wouldn't be the same show without him. Let's hope Jeff continues to want to do the show until it can't go on anymore. But the one thing I'm afraid of is that the show becomes so convoluted with advantages and idols that it is no longer recognizable as the game it was twenty years ago. It's starting to get that way, but what the show needs to do is go back to its roots. Perhaps for one season they could do no advantages, except for perhaps one hidden immunity idol, and focus more on the survival aspect, just to see how well that season does with the fans. I bet it would be received even better.
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